PLANT USE KEY
- C = Christmas Tree
- E = Erosion Control
- F = Human Food
- H = Habitat/Food for Wildlife
- N = Native
- T = Timber/Wood
Deciduous Shrubs
Conservation practices: E, N, H
Soil: Wide Tolerance
Growth rate: Moderate
Sun: Full to Partial
Description: A multi-branching shrub that typically rounds out and matures up to 10’. Small white, flat topped clusters of flowers appear in late spring.
Uses: Great for erosion control and streambank protection. Also provides habitat for wildlife.
Conservation practices: E, N, H
Soil: Wide Tolerance
Growth rate: Moderate
Sun: Full to Partial
Description: A multi-branched, upright shrub that can reach up to 25’ in height. Small white tubular flowers may appear in mid-summer.
Uses: Can be used for streambank protection as well as provide habitat for wildlife.
Conservation practices: H
Soil: Well drained, moist
Growth rate: Moderate
Sun: Full to Partial
Description: A multi-stemmed, upright shrub, that typically grows to 8-12′. Light purple/pink clusters of flowers appear in late spring. This plant is typically deer resistant.
Uses: Can be used as an ornamental, great for borders, hedges and screens.
Conservation practices: E, N, H
Soil: Wide Tolerance
Growth rate: Moderate
Sun: Full to Partial
Description: Forms a small to medium sized multi-stemmed shrub. It has a red stem and white clustering that mature in late summer/fall. It grows best in wet or swampy conditions. It is also a great structure for holding soil on slopped areas.
Uses: Good for streambank protection and wildlife habitat and also can be an ornamental or border plant.
Conservation practices: H
Soil: Wide Tolerance
Growth rate: Slow to Moderate
Sun: Full to Partial
Description: Forms a dense 12-15′ shrub with an arching multi-stemmed branch. Woody, brown capsule fruit mature in late summer and bright yellow flowers emerge mid to late fall.
Deciduous Trees
Conservation practices: E, F, H, N, T
Soil: Wet – Well Drained
Growth rate: Fast
Sun: Full (Tolerates Partial)
Description: 50′ high tree with a pendulous branched crown. Black Cherry will have profuse white flowers in the spring, and brilliant gold leaf color in the fall.
Uses: Fruit from this tree is good for making wine and jelly. The fruit from the tree is also a great food for wildlife.
Conservation practices: H, N, T
Soil: Wet – Well Drained
Growth rate: Fast
Sun: Full (Tolerates Partial)
Description: A medium/large tree that develops a straight, clear trunk with a top that narrows under competition. Branches are quite stout.
Uses: This tree is highly prized as a wood product and provide food and habitat for Wildlife.
Conservation practices: E, H, T, N
Soil: Moist – Well drained
Growth rate: Moderate
Sun: Full to Partial
Description: Forms a medium sized tree up to 70′. The trunk usually divides into several upright trunks.
Uses: Often used as an ornamental but also attracts wildlife. Good tree for riparian buffers and helps reduce stream bank erosion.
Conservation practices: H, N, T
Soil: Moist – Well drained
Growth rate: Moderate – Fast
Sun: Full
Description: A medium to large tree (50-60′) with a crown shaped cone. It is known for its unique star shaped leaves that turn vibrant red in the fall. Spiny “gumball” fruit which are woody brown spheres.
Uses: Widely used as a wind break, a shade or street tree, and to stabilize water edges.
Conservation practices: H, N, T
Soil: Moist – Wet
Growth rate: Fast
Sun: Full
Description: 75-100′ tree with a massive trunk. The bark of a Sycamore is mottled. This tree is fast growing and prefers moist soils.
Uses: A large tree for a large space. Generally considered too large and too messy for street tree use.
Can also be known as: Native Birch or Paper Birch
Conservation practices: H, N, T
Soil: Moist, Wide tolerance
Growth rate: Moderate
Sun: Full
Description: A medium sized tree (up to 50′) that forms pyramid shape, sometimes with an irregular crown. Often has several trunks and is a slender tree. Native birch has reddish brown bark on young stems that turns white, with peeling papery strips after 3 to 4 years.
Uses: Makes an attractive ornamental in groups or singularly.